SFPD Commission President Suzy Loftus reacts to her mother Maureen Roche's public comment at City Hall in San Francisco on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2016. Suzy Loftus will run against District Attorney George Gascón next year. less

SFPD Commission President Suzy Loftus reacts to her mother Maureen Roche's public comment at City Hall in San Francisco on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2016. Suzy Loftus will run against District Attorney George Gascón ... more

Photo: James Tensuan, Special To The Chronicle

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San Francisco District Attorney George Gascn answers questions during a press conference detailing a new policy which vacates 3000 marijuana-related misdemeanor convictions and 8,000 marijuana-related felony convictions in San Francisco on January 31, 2018. less

San Francisco District Attorney George Gascn answers questions during a press conference detailing a new policy which vacates 3000 marijuana-related misdemeanor convictions and 8,000 marijuana-related felony ... more

Loftus, who worked as a prosecutor when Sen. Kamala Harris was San Francisco’s D.A., is a home-grown candidate with deep ties to the city’s west side.

She’s no stranger to the rough-and-tumble world of San Francisco politics. Her time on the Police Commission was marked by the police shooting of stabbing suspect Mario Woods,one of a string of killings by officers that ultimately led to the resignation of Police Chief Greg Suhr.

Loftus also argued for banning police officers from shooting at suspects in moving cars, a position that put her at odds with the politically influential Police Officers Association.

Among those endorsing her are Police Commission President L. Julius M. Turman, BART board member Lateefah Simon and Supervisor Katy Tang.

She’s the second big-name opponent to line up a run against Gascón, after Fire Commission member Joe Alioto Veronese.

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Gascón is seeking a third term as D.A., and this is shaping up as his first tough election. He’s a favorite of progressives, thanks to his criticisms of the Police Department and strong advocacy for Proposition 47, the 2014 state measure that reduced many drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Those same stances have drawn heat from traditional law-and-order groups such as the police union.

Gascón did not return a call seeking comment.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross